Is Saw Cleaver Better Than Ludwig’s Holy Blade?
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The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Whether the Saw Cleaver is “better” than Ludwig’s Holy Blade in Bloodborne depends entirely on your playstyle, build, and what you’re looking for in a weapon. The Saw Cleaver excels in speed and stagger potential in its transformed mode, while Ludwig’s Holy Blade offers incredible versatility, range, and damage output. Ultimately, both are fantastic weapons, considered by many to be among the best in the game, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. This article will delve into a detailed comparison, helping you decide which suits your hunter best.
Saw Cleaver: The Beastly Brawler
The Saw Cleaver is a starting weapon beloved for its aggressive, fast-paced style. Its serrated edge grants bonus damage against beasts, a significant advantage in Bloodborne.
Strengths of the Saw Cleaver:
- Speed and Stagger: The Saw Cleaver’s fast attacks allow for quick hits and interruptions, making it excellent at staggering enemies and preventing them from attacking. The transformed mode, with its increased attack speed, is especially potent.
- Beast Damage: The serrated edge deals bonus damage to beast-type enemies, which are common throughout Bloodborne. This makes it highly effective in many areas.
- Low Stamina Consumption: Its attacks consume relatively little stamina, allowing for longer combos and more dodges.
- Accessibility: Available from the start of the game. You can finish Bloodborne just using this weapon, and do it well.
Weaknesses of the Saw Cleaver:
- Limited Range: The Saw Cleaver’s short reach can be a disadvantage against enemies with longer weapons or those that keep their distance.
- Lack of Variety: While effective, its moveset is relatively limited compared to more complex weapons.
- Lower Damage Output (Generally): Compared to Ludwig’s Holy Blade, the Saw Cleaver’s raw damage per hit is usually lower, especially against non-beast enemies.
Ludwig’s Holy Blade: The Versatile Powerhouse
Ludwig’s Holy Blade (LHB) is a fan-favorite known for its versatility and powerful attacks. It functions as a straight sword in its untricked form and a greatsword in its transformed form.
Strengths of Ludwig’s Holy Blade:
- Versatility: Its two forms offer distinct playstyles, allowing you to adapt to different situations. The untricked form is faster and more manageable in tight spaces, while the transformed form provides powerful, wide-sweeping attacks.
- High Damage Output: The transformed LHB deals significant damage, especially with good Strength and Skill scaling.
- Long Reach: The greatsword form has excellent reach, allowing you to hit enemies from a safe distance.
- Stagger Potential: The charged R2 attack in greatsword form has huge staggering potential.
Weaknesses of Ludwig’s Holy Blade:
- Higher Stamina Consumption: The transformed attacks consume more stamina than the Saw Cleaver, requiring more careful stamina management.
- Slower Attacks (Transformed): The greatsword form is slower than the Saw Cleaver, making it harder to interrupt enemies or dodge incoming attacks.
- Scaling Requirements: It requires a decent investment in both Strength and Skill to maximize its damage.
- Acquisition: Requires defeating the Blood-starved Beast to purchase, so it’s not available from the start.
Direct Comparison: Saw Cleaver vs. Ludwig’s Holy Blade
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Saw Cleaver | Ludwig’s Holy Blade |
|---|---|---|
| —————— | —————————- | ————————– |
| Attack Speed | Fast | Moderate (Untricked), Slow (Transformed) |
| Range | Short | Moderate (Untricked), Long (Transformed) |
| Damage | Moderate | High |
| Stamina Consumption | Low | Moderate to High |
| Versatility | Limited | High |
| Beast Damage | Bonus (Serrated) | None specifically |
| Scaling | Strength (Primary), Skill (Secondary) | Strength & Skill |
| Accessibility | Starting Weapon | Purchased After Blood-starved Beast |
Conclusion
The Saw Cleaver shines as a fast, aggressive weapon that excels at staggering enemies and dealing bonus damage to beasts. It’s a great choice for players who prefer a quick, relentless fighting style. Ludwig’s Holy Blade, on the other hand, offers versatility and high damage output, making it suitable for a wider range of situations. The best weapon ultimately depends on your personal preference and playstyle. Try both if you can, experiment with their movesets, and see which one feels more comfortable and effective for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which weapon is better for a beginner in Bloodborne?
Generally, the Saw Cleaver is considered better for beginners due to its simplicity, speed, and bonus damage against beasts. It allows new players to learn the game’s combat mechanics without being overwhelmed by complex movesets or high stamina costs.
2. Does Ludwig’s Holy Blade scale better than the Saw Cleaver at higher levels?
Yes, Ludwig’s Holy Blade tends to scale better at higher levels, especially with a balanced Strength and Skill build (quality build). Its damage output can surpass the Saw Cleaver’s, particularly in its transformed greatsword form.
3. Which weapon is more effective against bosses?
This depends on the boss. The Saw Cleaver’s speed and stagger potential can be effective against fast-moving or aggressive bosses. However, Ludwig’s Holy Blade’s higher damage and longer reach can be advantageous against bosses that are larger or keep their distance.
4. Can you beat the entire game using only the Saw Cleaver?
Absolutely! The Saw Cleaver is a viable weapon for the entire game. Many players have successfully completed Bloodborne using only the Saw Cleaver. It is a reliable and effective weapon.
5. Which weapon requires more skill to use effectively?
Both weapons require skill to master, but Ludwig’s Holy Blade’s versatility requires players to understand when to switch between its two forms and how to utilize each form’s unique moveset. Mastering LHB is therefore generally harder.
6. How do you get Ludwig’s Holy Blade?
You must first defeat the Blood-starved Beast in Old Yharnam. After that, Ludwig’s Holy Blade will become available for purchase from the Bath Messengers in the Hunter’s Dream for 20,000 Blood Echoes.
7. What are the best gems to use on the Saw Cleaver?
Physical attack up gems are generally the best choice for the Saw Cleaver, as it primarily deals physical damage. Serrated gems also boost its effectiveness against beast enemies.
8. What are the best gems to use on Ludwig’s Holy Blade?
Similar to the Saw Cleaver, physical attack up gems are a solid choice for Ludwig’s Holy Blade. However, you can also experiment with gems that add elemental damage (fire, bolt, arcane) to exploit enemy weaknesses, as LHB’s scaling allows for elemental conversions.
9. Is it worth upgrading both the Saw Cleaver and Ludwig’s Holy Blade?
If you have the resources, upgrading both weapons can be beneficial, as they offer different strengths and can be useful in various situations. However, if you prefer to focus on a single weapon, choose the one that best suits your playstyle.
10. Which weapon is better for PvP (player vs. player)?
This is subjective and depends on the player’s skill and opponent. The Saw Cleaver’s speed and stagger can be effective in PvP, while Ludwig’s Holy Blade’s range and damage can punish mistakes.
11. Does the Saw Cleaver’s serrated bonus affect all beast enemies?
Yes, the serrated bonus on the Saw Cleaver affects all enemies classified as “beasts” in Bloodborne, significantly increasing the damage dealt.
12. Can you parry with Ludwig’s Holy Blade?
Yes, you can parry with the untricked form of Ludwig’s Holy Blade, just like any other straight sword. However, you cannot parry with the transformed greatsword form.
13. Which weapon is more fun to use?
This is entirely subjective. Some players prefer the fast-paced action of the Saw Cleaver, while others enjoy the versatility and power of Ludwig’s Holy Blade.
14. How does the Rally potential (regaining health after taking damage) differ between the two weapons?
Generally, both weapons have good rally potential, but the Saw Cleaver’s faster attack speed can make it easier to regain health quickly after taking damage, especially against staggered enemies.
15. Which weapon should I choose for a Strength build vs. a Skill build?
While Ludwig’s Holy Blade scales well with both Strength and Skill, the Saw Cleaver is generally a better choice for a dedicated Strength build, as it still has high scaling for Strength, and its serration bonus will give you an edge against beast bosses.